From Oppression to Advocacy: An Exiled Ethiopian Journalist's Journey

Country of Origin: Ethiopia

Main Focus: Journalism and Human Rights.

Originally from Ethiopia, this journalist, writer, and filmmaker now leads media initiatives for the Ethiopian diaspora in North America, chairs the Writers in Exile of PEN Canada, and serves on the PEN Canada Board.

Raised in an oppressive political atmosphere during the 1970s in Ethiopia, he discovered journalism early on, reporting for his school and contributing to local newspapers.

Despite facing government crackdowns and repeated shutdowns of his own newspapers, he continued to pursue truth and freedom of expression, eventually co-founding PEN Ethiopia.

In 2014, after attending a PEN International Congress in Quebec, he decided to remain in Canada due to the dangerous situation back home. Settling in Toronto with his journalist wife and their son, he has continued his media work, focusing on bridging the Ethiopian community with mainstream Canadian society.

He runs New Perspective, a multi-platform media outlet that includes newspapers, radio shows, and a new TV series on the OMNI channel.

Despite financial challenges and lack of external funding, their platform plays a crucial role in reporting on human rights violations in Ethiopia and connecting the Ethiopian diaspora to broader Canadian society.

The story highlights the difficulties of producing journalism in exile—while it provides a level of freedom unseen in repressive regimes, it also introduces challenges of integration and financial sustainability.

His advocacy emphasizes the importance of balanced reporting and building strong relationships between diaspora media and mainstream outlets to cover underrepresented issues comprehensively.

The journey underscores a commitment to truthful journalism as a cornerstone for societal change, both in Ethiopia and within the diverse landscape of Canada.